Easel or the like.



F. J. KRISTOFEK.

EASEL OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21. 1908.

Patented June 28, 1910.

FIG. 3.

INVE NTOR @q W,

By HUM 72535,

WITNESSES:

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. KRISTOFEK, OF COSHOCTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE MEEK COMPANY, OF.

COSI-IOCTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

EASEL OR THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. KRIsTorEK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Goshocton, in the county of Coshocton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Easels or the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in easels adapted for use in connection with advertising cards, photographs, pictures or other devices.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide an easel of extremely cheap and simple construction, the supporting member of which can be locked rigidly in its open position by a brace or the like; the supporting member and brace are so constructed that when the easel is closed both of these parts tend to remain close up against the back of the picture or the like, so that neither is liable to be torn or marred by rough usage; the parts are preferably constructed from one piece of material, such as card board, and are easily applied to the part which it is intended to support.

In the drawing, wherein I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a rear view of the easel with the supporting member closed. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 in Fig. 1 showing the easel open. Fig. 8 is a rear view of Fig. 2.

Referring ,to the drawings let A indicate a card, photograph, picture or other device which it is intended to support, or a frame which acts as a carrier for such a device. For clearness the part A will be hereinafter referred to as the frame.

The supporting member for the frame A, and the brace member for the support are formed preferably of a single piece of ma terial such as card board. In the drawing the supporting member is indicated by the letter B and the brace member by the letter C. In constructing these two members, a piece of card board or other material of appropriate general shape is cut to form the outline of the brace member C.

The supporting member B is scored or bent preferably along a line D, and the part above such line is united to the frame A by glue or in any other suitable manner. The brace C is also bent or scored along the line E, and its lower portion F is glued or other- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 21, 1908.

Patented June 28, 1910. Serial No. 444,593.

wise connected with the frame A.

The relative conformation of the parts and G is important. The upper or free end of the brace C is provided with notches G G formed between projections L L and M M, while the lower part of the member B is formed with shoulders H H. Preferably also the member B is formed with recesses or notches J J, which so enlarge the effective width of the aperture K, formed by the cutting out of the brace C, that the projections L L of the brace can be passed through the aperture K so that the edges of the support B bounding the aperture can enter the notches G Gr.

In adjusting the easel for use, the support is raised from its folded position, and the end of the brace adjusted so that its projec tions L L pass through the notches J J, and the edges of the support enter the notches G G, whereupon the end of the brace is pressed downwardly until it abuts against the shoulders H H, as shown in Fig. 3. In this position the support B is very firmly. and rigidly held in the position of Fig. 2, so that it cannot be collapsed, except by moving the end of the brace upwardly in a manner which is the reverse of that just de scribed. Accidental folding of the support is prevented, while at the same time the pfirts may be very easily folded intentiona y.

My present invention provides a construction of easel in which the disadvantages of those heretofore in use are avoided. The device when in its unfolded or operative position is securely locked against accidental displacement from any cause. It will be observed that the aperture K is closed at its bottom; that is to say, the member B does not comprise two individual legs. This securely holds the edges of the aperture in the same plane so that neither edge can work out of the notches G G. Furthermore, the construction provided prevents the slipping out of the end of the brace through the bottom of the support. Vhen the device is folded there is sufficient friction between the support and brace to hold both of said members closely alongside of the frame without either of said parts projecting so as to incur any liability of their being torn off. The support and brace constitute a lower part of the single thickness of material, so that the thickness of the easel is reduced to the minimum which is a very desirable feature for packing purposes.

lVhile I have shown in detail one form of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereto as various changes may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the invention.

hat I claim is 1. An easel or the like having a frame, a support and a brace, the support being imperforate at its upper and lower ends and having an opening between such ends, and being fastened to said frame at its top, and said brace being fastened at its bottom to said frame, and having its body portion extending upwardly, and said brace being of substantially the same contour as the opening in said support and being adapted to fill said opening when the parts are in closed position, whereby in such position said brace tends to keep said support closed and said support tends to keep said brace closed, and said support having near its lower end a part adapted to be engaged by said brace, and said brace having near its upper end an interengaging part substantially as set forth.

2. An easel or the like having a frame, a

support and a brace, the support being imperforate at its upper and lower ends and having an opening between such ends, and being fastened to said frame at its top, and said brace being fastened at its bottom to said frame, and having its body portion extending upwardly, and said brace being of substantially the same contour as the opening in said support and being adapted to fill said opening when the parts are in closed position, whereby in such position said brace tends to keep said support closed and said support tends to keep said brace closed, and said support having near its lower end a part adapted to be engaged by said brace, said part lying at the lower end of said opening so that said opening is above said part, and said brace having projections L L M M and intermediate notches G, said projections L L being adapted to pass through said enlarged part of said opening in said support so that said notches G receive the edges of said support below said enlarged portions.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK J. KRISTOFEK.

Vitnesses FRANK E. POMERENE, Lona SMITH. 

